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Post by showgirl on Jul 20, 2016 7:48:26 GMT
The theatre's new home seems to have had a very low-key opening (unless I've missed something) and their website still provides very little detail about the venue itself. So could anyone who has seen the opening production, The Fix, report on what the new theatre is like, please? Particularly with regard to the seating, and toilet provision?
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Post by CG on the loose on Jul 20, 2016 8:36:09 GMT
It's housed in two (maybe a third behind the scenes) arches immediately opposite the old venue. The arch nearest the road forms the auditorium (and there's a door to the pavement that wasn't in use on opening night but looks like it might be used as an exit at some point). Main entrance is in the second archway into the cafe/bar area. Much bigger space than previously, bar at the back, Box Office still operating from the end of the bar as before. Three unisex loos off a corridor that runs behind the bar.
For The Fix, the auditorium was set up with a single bank of seating (don't know if that's their permanent set up or they will flex it as they did in the old space), with an unraised performance space. Didn't count the rows, but would guess 10-12 with 10 seats on each (9 on the front row I think). They are raked, but with two rows to each tier, so line of sight really wasn't great. I was in the third row, so raised above the two in front, but with those both on the same level as the performance space, I couldn't see anything below waist level and when actors sat down, I lost them altogether.
Orchestra was squeezed into a tiny area just to the (house) left of the performance space, under a staircase which goes up to a mezzanine level used, along with a rear door on the other side of the auditorium, for actors entrances/exits.
They're operating the same numbered ticketing system (i.e. first come, first seated).
Enjoyed the production but spent quite a lot of it mourning the view I would have had in the old space! Feel it may deter me from visiting as often, certainly on work days when I can't get there early enough to bag a front row seat.
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Post by profquatermass on Jul 20, 2016 9:15:53 GMT
There are three (I think) loos which are separate so not segregated by sex. The cafe in the old building is still open BTW. Spacious bar
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2016 12:47:56 GMT
Three unisex loos off a corridor that runs behind the bar. Ah, loo equality at last - the blokes will have to queue like the ladies. Enjoyed the production but spent quite a lot of it mourning the view I would have had in the old space! Feel it may deter me from visiting as often, certainly on work days when I can't get there early enough to bag a front row seat. Thanks for the forwarning. Seeing the at the end of the run so will make sure I am there early to get a good seat.
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Post by showgirl on Jul 20, 2016 13:08:41 GMT
Great to see so many responses; thank you to all who've posted. Disappointing to hear that the seat "allocation" system hasn't changed + that the sightlines for The Fix weren't good. I saw The Fix in the old venue so wasn't planning to see it again, but even for new productions I'm not sure I'll be that keen.
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Post by viserys on Jul 20, 2016 13:18:48 GMT
I have actually never been at the old Union Theatre, so I can't compare, but I thought the new one was OK. Had no trouble with the sightlines from what I think was Row 4. There were a few very short moments when I couldn't see people when they were on the floor, but that didn't bother me.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that seats only get comfy (with armrests) from Row 3 onwards. The first two rows are simple chairs. So given the choice, I'd go for Row 3-4 rather than front rows and those chairs.
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Post by Dawnstar on Jul 20, 2016 19:58:44 GMT
May I ask if the new Union has air con?
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Post by viserys on Jul 21, 2016 5:58:55 GMT
Nope, it hasn't. Was quite toasty inside on Saturday.
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Post by showgirl on Jul 21, 2016 7:55:51 GMT
Hmm, well, I'm sure cost had something to do with how things are now, but you could almost suspect the management of trying as far as possible to replicate the original Union Theatre experience!
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2,676 posts
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Post by viserys on Jul 21, 2016 8:18:38 GMT
To be fair, there's still some construction going on, so they might still be planning to install air conditioning later and it was just their bad luck to be caught out by the heatwave. Not sure what all the stuff was for that was piled in the "room" between the auditorium and the street that also served as an exit.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2016 12:43:09 GMT
Hmm, well, I'm sure cost had something to do with how things are now, but you could almost suspect the management of trying as far as possible to replicate the original Union Theatre experience! In that case will the strategically placed full length mirror from the old ladies reappear in one of the loos? And what about the green mould from the gents? Not that I have ever actually seen it, but it was widely reported.
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Post by Dawnstar on Jul 21, 2016 17:44:59 GMT
Nope, it hasn't. Was quite toasty inside on Saturday. Thanks. I'll be avoiding it in summer then.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 23, 2016 21:33:40 GMT
Nope, it hasn't. Was quite toasty inside on Saturday. Thanks. I'll be avoiding it in summer then. Generally every theatre is hot in the summer, regardless of air conditioning - especially the dilapidated old theatres, old air conditioning isn't reliable when it gets too hot and tends to breakdown. I was there this afternoon and they have done a terrific job, with a lovely bright bar area and cafe. The theatre is bigger and more capacious than over the road, so you get a feeling of space, even on a hot day like today, and I suffer from the heat, the feeling of space made feel at ease. In the interval they were pumping cool air in the auditorium via a mobile air con unit. Those annoying supporting pillars, which they had in the original Union are no more. Sasha Reagan has done a tremendous job in overseeing this redevelopment and also responsible for the artistic programme I really take my hat off to her. She also has a young family to boot.
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Post by freckles on Oct 10, 2016 9:33:48 GMT
Visited on Saturday (Out There - excellent) and thought the new space much more pleasant (and decidedly less whiffy) than the old. The cafe/bar was busy and bustling and most of the seating in the auditorium was comfy, looked like reclaimed plush tippy up seats. Only the front row was standard, less comfy looking chairs. The seating was configured in an L shape for this production, seemed to work OK but the "band" (piano and guitar) was far too loud, with the piano drowning out the unmiked actors at times. There looked to be three unisex toilets but only one was working, so long queues which was a pain and disappointing in a new venue. No mirror facing you now though, thank goodness! Saw some of the cast of the next show - Moby Dick - taking a break from rehearsals, so there must be a rehearsal space too.
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Post by perfectspy on Oct 18, 2016 19:26:50 GMT
Three unisex loos off a corridor that runs behind the bar. Ah, loo equality at last - the blokes will have to queue like the ladies. ............And now the loo's are sexist ha ha ha ha ha
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Post by DuchessConstance on Oct 18, 2016 22:05:58 GMT
FFS does literally everything have to turn into a slam on feminism? This is supposed to be a theatre forum, not the Daily Mail online.
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Post by andrew on Oct 19, 2016 22:42:18 GMT
During the heatwave the temperature in there was unacceptably high though, if I hadn't known beforehand and dressed appropriately I would have seriously struggled. That aircon has to go in before July rolls around.
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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Oct 24, 2016 17:36:56 GMT
During the heatwave the temperature in there was unacceptably high though, if I hadn't known beforehand and dressed appropriately I would have seriously struggled. That aircon has to go in before July rolls around. Yep, it'd definitely put me off booking anything at the Union between June and September, to be frank.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 23, 2018 6:31:09 GMT
The State of the Union - I haven’t been since Anyone can whistle (jan 2017). None of the shows appealed and now the lineup appears to be a series of one night comedy gigs
Reading the Iolanthe thread reminded me how good the programming used to be.
Such a shame.
Have all the theatrical angels flown to another venue?
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Post by n1david on Jun 23, 2018 8:05:58 GMT
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 23, 2018 8:43:09 GMT
Ive read about it. Sounds good and very much the kind of repertoire that the theatre made its reputation on.
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Post by wickedgrin on Jun 23, 2018 10:47:22 GMT
Not a fan of the New Union Theatre. I do hate the unallocated seating. You have to arrive early to get the number to get in first but it means hanging around - there is nothing in the area and when I went they were not serving food and looked at me as if I was insane for asking.
I don't like the staircase stage right of the space as it unbalances the space - stage centre is not the centre of the total space (if that makes sense) because the staircase intrudes on the space. The actors used this staircase for entrances and exits and had to tip toe up and down - most distracting.
Plus - yes it was VERY warm in there and it wasn't a particularly hot day!
The productions seem to have gone off too. The two I have seen were both very mediocre and nothing else has either appealed or I have wanted to take the risk of wasting an evening.
Plus - I can remember a time when ladies would have been horrified at sharing loos with men.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2018 12:47:14 GMT
There's a Costa next to the Young Vic, and another one round the corner on the way to the Tate Modern. If you have PLENTY of time and walk fairly quickly, there are other options on the Cut and immediately behind the Tate Modern. And that's just two directions.
And we've never minded sharing cubicle facilities with men, we share our home bathrooms with men ALL THE TIME, we just don't really want to walk into a bathroom with urinal facilities.
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Post by tmesis on Jun 23, 2018 22:37:18 GMT
Not a fan of the New Union Theatre. I do hate the unallocated seating. You have to arrive early to get the number to get in first but it means hanging around - there is nothing in the area and when I went they were not serving food and looked at me as if I was insane for asking. I don't like the staircase stage right of the space as it unbalances the space - stage centre is not the centre of the total space (if that makes sense) because the staircase intrudes on the space. The actors used this staircase for entrances and exits and had to tip toe up and down - most distracting. Plus - yes it was VERY warm in there and it wasn't a particularly hot day! The productions seem to have gone off too. The two I have seen were both very mediocre and nothing else has either appealed or I have wanted to take the risk of wasting an evening. Plus - I can remember a time when ladies would have been horrified at sharing loos with men. I don't think it's necessary to get in first for a low number and then have to wait ages to get the best seat. The last few productions I've been to there have been so poorly attended you had the pick of the seats. One Saturday night performance had 14 in the audience! I do agree that production standards have gone off and the place just lacks something compared to the 'old' Union. It really was a particularly special place when it was 'over the road' and some of my most memorable theatrical experiences took place there.
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